Contraction Timer

The 5-1-1 rule is an ACOG guideline for first-time mothers: head to the hospital (or call your provider) when contractions are coming every 5 minutes, each lasts about 1 minute, and this pattern has continued for at least 1 hour. For second or subsequent pregnancies, many providers recommend the 4-1-1 rule (every 4 minutes) because labor tends to progress faster.

Each contraction is timed from the start of one contraction to the start of the next — this measures the frequency. The duration is how long a single contraction lasts from start to finish. The gap (interval) between contractions decreases as labor progresses. Our timer measures both automatically.

Real labor contractions tend to: get stronger over time, come at regular and increasingly closer intervals, continue whether you rest or move, and radiate from the back through the abdomen. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to: be irregular and unpredictable, go away with movement or rest, be felt mainly in the abdomen (not the back), and not progressively intensify.

Go immediately (don't wait for 5-1-1) if: your water breaks, you experience heavy bleeding, your baby's movements have significantly decreased, you have severe abdominal pain that doesn't let up between contractions, you have a pre-term pregnancy (under 37 weeks), you have a high-risk pregnancy or were told to go in earlier, or you are delivering a subsequent baby (labor moves faster).

Early labor: contractions are mild-to-moderate, irregular or regular but still far apart (often 5–15+ minutes), and the cervix dilates to 3–6 cm. This phase can last hours to days. Active labor: contractions are strong, regular, 3–5 minutes apart, harder to talk through, and the cervix dilates from 6–10 cm. Most providers want you to arrive in hospital by active labor.

Yes — but if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, you should contact your provider at the first sign of regular contractions without waiting for 5-1-1. Preterm labor is a medical urgency. Symptoms of preterm labor include regular contractions (with or without pain), lower back pain, pelvic pressure, vaginal spotting, or a change in vaginal discharge.